Goat Skin Artist, Thelma de Palm seamless manner the government hereby confirms that the revised tax structure (Island Tax) will not be intro- duced until further notice The Island Government of Bonaire thanks you for your continued and on-going support IN THIS ISSUE: and valuable feedback. As you know, it is our common goal to make Bonaire a European Windsurf Report Greece & Turkey 6 destination that visitors will want to Kite Surfing Scene 7 keep on returning to year after year. Announcement (Hayden 25th Until further information is provided Anniversary) 8 by our government, the current tax Correction (Juliandro Soree) 8 structure will prevail.” This informa- Rotary Breakfast Program 8 Scrap Ship Sails 8 tion was posted earlier on The Bonaire Bondy on the Ball (Final) 9 Reporter website, bonairenews.com. Antique Houses (Kas di Kaha-Herrera) 10 The island of St. Maarten an- Parents’ Night at Stichting Project 11 Dia di Arte 12 nounced that it will institute a $5 Protraits (Delno Trump) 15 transfer fee for in-transit passengers at Snack Bar Detectives (Peking) 16 Princess Juliana Airport on August 1. Bonai Unveils Plaque & Final Barbe- DCNA’s Kalli DeMeyer (R) makes a point at the World Heritage meeting The Island Council approved the $5 que 17 transit/ transfer fee on April 3. Culinary Team Hailed 17
fter not moving forward for the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, A over a year, Bonaire's bid to DROB's Frank van Slobbe and Jean- There’s WEEKLY FEATURES: become part of one of the world's few inne Wong Loi Sing. Being a UN a new air ser- international UN World Heritage sites World Heritage site is a significant vice, Bon- Flotsam & Jetsam 2 Coral Glimpses 3 got a boost when UNESCO's Secretary plus in the eco-tourism market but, aire-Curacao Biologist’s Bubbles (sand) 3 General met with Bonaire's Lt. Gover- more importantly, brings world focus via E-Liner. They fly Monday through Pet of the Week (“Martin”) 7 nor Domacassé to prepare Bonaire's on the unique qualities of the area, bet- Friday, from Bonaire 9:15 am, 5:30 Picture Yourself, (Machu Picchu) 14 nomination. The site will include the ter ensuring its preservation. pm; from Curacao: 8:30 am, 4:30 pm. SuDoku Puzzle 14 Classifieds 14 Caribbean islands from Venezuela’s It’s NAƒ80 one way (under 2 years fly Tide Table 18 Los Roques and Los Aves islands, You CAN fight “City Hall” and free). The plane is an eight-seater SuDoku Answer 18 Bonaire, Klein Bonaire, Klein Curaçao win. Last week the Bonaire Commis- Piper PA-31. For reservations call 717- Reporter Masthead 18 and Curaçao. In the area marine life sioner of Tourism announced on the 6825 or go to their website: www.e- What’s Happening 19 will be protected, the environment pre- Bonaire website that the Departure liner.net. E-Liner, based in Curacao, Movieland Film Schedule 19 Shopping & Dining Guides 20 served and native culture encouraged. Tax Structure will not change. A was established in 1993, doing sight- On the Island Since At the meeting, in addition to Gover- statement released to Bonaire’s “travel seeing flights and day tours to Aruba (Andre Snijders “Julius Andrew” ) 21 nor Domacassé and UNESCO Secre- partners” said, “In light of the feedback and Bonaire. They do charter and Sky Park (Cats’ eyes) 23 tary General Browne, were Mrs. we received from our stakeholders and cargo flights too. The Stars Have It 23 Lugo-Izaguirre, representing the Vene- in an effort to ensure that the final levy zuelan Consulate, Kalli de Meyer of is equitable and that it be instituted in a (Continued on page 3)
Page 2 Bonaire Reporter - July 14 to July 21, 2006 (Flotsam and Jetsam. Continued from page 2) Lauderdale. Spirit will add flights to Jamaica, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Washington D. (a bit of information about corals C. and New York City. Bonaire was presented each week by not mentioned, but in past discussions naturalist Dee Scarr) Bonaire was asked to provide guaran- tees for up to 100% of the seats on the flight, which the island was unwilling Elkhorn coral usually grows in 15 feet of water or to agree to. less, so many of Bonaire's Elk- Spirit Airlines offers low fares with- horn colonies got hammered by out compromise. Spirit´s full-frills, Lenny's storm surge. The good low-fare service includes new air- news is that there are many new planes with all leather seats, plus Elkhorn formations along our coach and business class. shoreline. This one is unusual in that it's in about 30 feet of water, along the drop- off. Dee Scarr photo Atzo Nicolaï will become Dutch Minister of Administrative Reform and Kingdom Relations, responsible for Antillean Affairs, the Dutch news- paper de Volkskrant reported last id You Know… Wednesday. Nicolaï is currently State D Caribbean beaches are made Secretary of Foreign Affairs in charge from dead algae and Parrotfish poop? of European Affairs in the cabinet of It is a common misconception that Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. Parrotfish eat coral. Parrotfish munch on He is taking over from Alexander algae growing on dead coral rock. Liv- Photo copyright Eilandgebied Bonaire Pechtold who resigned, along with the ing coral is colorful and defined, while rest of the Balkenende II Cabinet, late dead coral rock is gray or white. Parrot- Bonaire's Hygienic Service, the last week. fish scrape off the algae and part of the rock, grind it all up, digest the algae and poop people who inspect commercial kitch- out the calcium carbonate (fine sand). ens, arriving vessels and perform other Former Dutch Immigration Green algae of the genus Halimeda (Watercress Alga is the most common species related tasks, have introduced a new Minister Rita Verdonk, at the center here in Bonaire) grow in tufts among the corals and are especially prevalent in seagrass uniform for their personnel shown of the row which caused the Dutch and mangrove ecosystems. These algae absorb minerals from the seawater and form above. government to collapse last week, calcium carbonate (sand) within their tissues. Scientists believe this is their way of could gain 15% of the vote if she warding off herbivores. The herbivores get indigestion after eating Halimeda and thus Spirit, the leading low-fare car- formed her own political party, ac- leave it alone. After the alga dies, it turns white and breaks apart into sand. Eventually rier to the Caribbean, announced an cording to a poll. Verdonk came un- all of this sand (poop and algae) gets washed up on shore, is bleached by the sun and expansion to its Fort Lauderdale der heavy criticism over her threat to becomes a beach lover’s paradise! Story & photo by Carin Eckrich hub operation. Effective December strip Somali-born Dutch politician 14, Spirit will enhance its winter Ayaan Hirsi Ali of Dutch citizenship Biologist Caren Eckrich founded and runs Sea and Discover, Bonaire's schedule to key destinations further and is the author of restrictions on marine education center specializing in guided dives and snorkels for adults and adventure programs for kids. You may call her at 717-5322. reinforcing its position in Fort (Continued on page 4)
Bonaire Reporter - July 14 to July 21, 2006 Page 3 (Flotsam and Jetsam. Continued from page 3) VBO photo Antilleans visiting Holland. She would most likely attract votes from support- ers of her current political party or smaller anti-immigration parties, the Dutch television survey found.